
Covid-19 comeback: Here's why coronavirus is spreading again and new symptoms you should watch out for
Over the last few weeks, there has been renewed global attention on Covid-19, as case numbers begin to rise subtly but steadily in parts of Asia. While India has not yet reported a major new wave, early warning signs are prompting concern. India's current official count remains low, patterns in neighbouring countries are a reminder that the virus hasn't disappeared it has just become subtler.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Preeti Kabra, Senior Chief of Lab at Neuberg Diagnostics, revealed the following reasons -
1. Waning Immunity: Immunity whether from prior infection or vaccination tends to decline over time. Many individuals who were vaccinated during the early phases of the pandemic (2021–22) have not received a recent booster, making them more susceptible now.
2. New Variants and Climate Factors: SARS-CoV-2 continues to mutate. Certain new variants may spread more easily or evade immune defences. Interestingly, we are now seeing spread even during hotter months, defying earlier seasonal patterns of respiratory viruses.
Recent cases show that Covid-19 symptoms are evolving. According to Dr Preeti Kabra, the common cold-like signs are back but some features are unique and should not be ignored:
Dr Preeti Kabra concluded, 'The challenge is that many of these symptoms overlap with flu, dengue, or even seasonal allergies. That's why testing remains important, especially for those in high-risk groups.'
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
29 minutes ago
- Time of India
US restores some medical research grants, says top Trump official
Washington: A senior US health official on Tuesday admitted President Donald Trump's administration had gone too far in slashing biomedical research grants worth billions of dollars, and said efforts were underway to restore some of the funding. Jay Bhattacharya , director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), made the remarks during a Senate committee hearing examining both recent cuts to his agency and deeper reductions proposed by the White House in next year's budget. Bhattachartya said he had created an appeals process for scientists and laboratories whose research was impacted, and that the NIH had already "reversed many" of the cuts. "I didn't take this job to terminate grants," said the physician and health economist who left a professorship at Stanford University to join the Trump administration. "I took this job to make sure that we do the research that advances the health needs of the American people." The hearing came a day after more than 60 NIH employees sent an open letter to Bhattacharya condemning policies they said undermined the agency's mission and the health of Americans. They dubbed it the " Bethesda Declaration " -- a nod both to the NIH's suburban Washington headquarters and to Bhattacharya's role as a prominent signatory of the 2020 "Great Barrington Declaration," which opposed Covid lockdowns. Since Trump's January 20 inauguration, the NIH has terminated 2,100 research grants totaling around $9.5 billion and $2.6 billion in contracts, according to an independent database called Grant Watch. Affected projects include studies on gender, the health effects of global warming, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer. Trump has launched a sweeping overhaul of the US scientific establishment early in his second term -- cutting billions in funding, attacking universities, and overseeing mass layoffs of scientists across federal agencies.


India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
Covid more severe among elderly: Kerala Health Minister advocates special care as cases increase
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], June 11 (ANI): Amid an increase in Covid-19 cases, Kerala Health Minister Veena George has said that special care should be taken as the disease remains more severe among the elderly and those with other diseases. She added that the Omicron JN.1 variants LF.7 and XFG were the most common in Kerala. These variants are 'not as severe' but have a high potential for spreading the disease. 'Masks should be worn in public places and during travel. Genomic sequencing is being conducted to identify the Covid-19 variant. The Omicron JN.1 variant LF.7 and XFG, which are spreading in Southeast Asian countries, are the most common in Kerala. Although these variants are not as severe, they have a high potential for spreading the disease,' the minister said. There are 2,223 active cases in the state, with 96 people undergoing treatment. Ernakulam district reported 431 Covid-19 cases, 426 cases in Kottayam, and 365 in Thiruvananthapuram. 'There are currently 2,223 active Covid cases in the state. 96 people are under treatment. Most of them have other diseases. 431 cases have been reported in Ernakulam district, 426 cases in Kottayam and 365 cases in Thiruvananthapuram,' the ministry said. All hospitals have been instructed to conduct Covid tests for those with symptoms, including cold, sore throat, cough and shortness of breath. The minister also stated that instructions have been given to ensure oxygen availability. This comes after George chaired a meeting with the state unit of the Rapid Response Team (RRT) to assess the situation in the state. The concerned officials have been directed not to refer patients to private hospitals unnecessarily due to Covid. 'Unnecessary visits to hospitals should be avoided. Those with symptoms such as a cold, sore throat, cough and shortness of breath should wear masks. Masks are mandatory in hospitals. Hands should be cleaned with soap or sanitiser from time to time,' the minister added. As of Tuesday morning, India has reported 6,815 active Covid-19 cases. According to data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), 163 cases of the new Covid-19 variant XFG have recently been detected across the country. Earlier, Balram Bhargava, former Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and former Secretary of the Department of Health Research, said that the emergence of the XFG variant is part of the SARS-CoV-2 virus's natural evolution. He added that India is well-positioned to detect and contain emerging variants swiftly due to the widespread deployment of rapid molecular diagnostic platforms such as Truenat. (ANI)


The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Massive turnout at fish prasadam event sparks fear of COVID-19 spread
Even as COVID-19 cases climb across India, faith drew over one lakh people to Hyderabad's Nampally exhibition grounds from June 7 to 9 for the annual fish prasadam event, a ritual believed to provide relief from asthma and respiratory ailments. The Bathini Goud family, custodians of this practice, organised the programme and administered live murrel fish laced with a secret herbal paste to eager attendees, undeterred by the rising infection count. India's active COVID-19 caseload crossed 6,800 as of Tuesday (June 10, 2025). Gujarat alone reported 1,109 new cases in a single day, while Kerala topped the chart with over 2,000 active infections. Neighbouring States Maharashtra (613), Karnataka (559) and Andhra Pradesh (86) also saw worrying upticks, prompting fears of a super-spreader event. On the ground, this reporter saw a stark mismatch between precaution and participation. Mask vendors dotted the venue's periphery, but few takers were seen. Fewer still wore them. Well-organised queues offered little solace as social distancing collapsed in sheds and food lines, where neither volunteers nor recipients observed basic safety protocols. The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) deployed 142 buses to transport devotees, while organisers prepared 1.5 lakh fish fingerlings. 'However, only 60,000 fish were administered, a figure consistent with last year's turnout,' said T. Srinivas, deputy director of Fisheries (Inland), Telangana Fisheries Department. Authorities also set up medical camps to handle emergencies. On June 7, six teams, each with a doctor and four staff, were stationed, scaling up to 15 teams having 75 personnel the next day. By June 9, six teams remained. Over three days, 1,248 people received treatment for discomfort, with 11 referred to Osmania General Hospital, all of whom have since recovered, said Hyderabad District Medical and Health Officer J. Venkat. The health official said that while there is no direct evidence yet linking the event to a spike in COVID-19 cases, its sheer scale and timing are concerning. 'The incubation period means any transmission from June 7 to 9 may only now reflect in case numbers later. Telangana, already managing rising infections, could face further strain if cases emerge from the event,' he explained.